Fire extinguisher



Sept. 4, 1934. R. c. IDDINGS El A1.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed Feb. 21, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 4, 1934 UNETED STATES FIRE EXTINGUISHER Roscoe C. Iddings, Joseph E. Bowman, and John W. Wright, Dayton, Ohio, assignors to The Fyr-Fyter Company, Dayton, Ohio, at corporation of Ohio Application February 21,1931, Serial No. 517,466

3 Claims.

This invention relates to fire extinguishers of the chemical reaction type, and particularly to liquid container assemblies for use therein.

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision in a fire extinguisher of a readily replaceable liquid or acid container of simple and compact construction, which is adapted upon operation of the extinguisher to provide a controlled rate or" discharge for the liquid contents of the container, and which is reliable and effective in operation.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a fire extinguisher of a liquid or acid container in the form of a chemical containing cartridge having a frangible liquid container and a nonfrangible enclosing container form ing a safe and reliable structure adapted to be assembled. and replaced as a unit, and insuring against undesirable discharge of the liquid into the space of the fire extinguished container proper.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

In the drawings, which disclose a preferred embodiment of the invention Fig. 1 is a Vertical sectional View of a fire extinguisher having an inner liquid container assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section of the liquid container assembly;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through a portion of a fire extinguisher of somewhat modified construction; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on the line -A of Fig. 3.

The drawings, in which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views thereof, illustrate a fire extinguisher of the chemical reaction type, and is particularly designed to receive a highly reactive charge. For example, the extinguisher is constructed to reliably receive and secure controlled reaction of a charge comprising a relatively concentrated carbonate solution such potassium carbonate which is carried within 3 container and an acid such as chloroacid which is carried within the ex- ,her in a frangible. cartridge. Means are orated the extinguisher to fracture the upon operation of the extinguisher, means are incorporated in the cartridge to provide a controlled limiting of the rate of'discharge for the acid contained therein so that a regulated rate of mixing of the chemicals will occurupon fracture. r r

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and Zthe extinguisher shown comprises a sheet metal shell or container having a lower extending portion 11 provided with a beaded edge 12 which serves as a base upon which the extinguisher may rest when in upright position. The lower end of the container is closed bya sheet metal bottom 13 suitably joined to the interior wall of the outer shell. The top of the shell 10 is provided with a centrally arranged opening within which is positioned a cover attaching member 14. The upper'end of the coverattaching member 14 isprovided with an upstanding cylindrical flange 15 providing an opening to the interior of the container, and is externally threaded to receive thereon a cover member 16. The cover member 16 is provided with a suitable carrying handle 17 which, as shown, is in the form of a ring to serve as a base upon which the extinguisher may rest when in inverted position.

Adjacent the upper end of the extinguisher and passing through the wall of the extinguisher shell is a discharge fitting 20 of tubular form. This fitting is provided with an enlarged shoulder 21 forming an attaching joint for connection to the shell 10. A screen supporting member 22 is attached to the inner end of the member 20 for the support of a screen 23. The outer end of the casting 20 is provided with athreaded nipple 24 which receives a flexible hose 25 upon which is provided a discharge nozzle 26.

The inner face of the flange'portionof the cover casting 14 is offsetto provide a shoulder 39 upon which an acid cartridge supporting structure 31 rests. 'Ihesupporting structure 31 is preferably made of sheet metal and, as shown, comprises a cup shaped portion32 having considerable depth with respect to its diameter. An outwardly-extending flange 33 is formed from the upper end of the portion 32 and has attachedv to it an upstanding cylindricalfiange 34. A flange extends from the part 34 parallel to the flange 33 and terminates in an upstanding cylindrical portion 36. The disk like portion 35 is adapted to rest upon the shoulder 30 and the cylindrical portion 36 is proportioned of such height to maintain the structure 31 securely in position when the extinguisher is assembled. A downwardly extending sheet metal tube 37 is attached, as by soldering, to the flange portion 34 and completes the assembly of the suplmrting structure 31. Communication between the interior and exterior of the supporting structure 31 is provided by a plurality of openings 38 which are provided in the flange portion 33; the ports 38 being above the normal liquid level of the outer container 10.

The diameter of .the portion 32' of the supporting structure 31 is of such size as to slidably but rather closely receive an acid cartridge 40 which is adapted to be fractured upon actuation of a breaking plunger 42 to discharge the contents of the cartridge. The breaking plunger is mounted for sliding movement within-a passage in an upstanding boss 43 provided on the cover 16. The plunger 42 comprises a shafit portion 44 which terminates within the extinguisher in a threaded end 45 of smaller diameter than the portion 44. The end 45 of the plunger passes through a washer 46 positioned on the interior of the cover and through a circular opening in a flexible sealing diaphragm 48 which is adapted to'be firmly clamped at its periphery between the upper surface of the flange 15 and the lower surface of the cover member 16.

The diaphragm 48 may be formed of any suitable-flexible material which is adapted to yield, such as rubber, to permit movement of the plunger 42. The diaphragm is clamped firmly to the plunger stem 45 between the washer 46, which is preferably fastened as by soldering to the shoulder 46, and a threaded nut 49 having upstanding wings 5O' by which it may be readily grasped. The-upper-end of the plunger portion 44 carries a cover cap'52, fastened thereto as by means of a screw as indicated at 53, and comprising a downwardly extending sleeve portion 54 of sufficient diameter to be able to telescope the boss 43 formed on the cover attaching member. Aspring 56 is positioned between the cap 52 and the top of the boss 43 to normally urge the plunger andsealing diaphragm to its upper position in which it is held tightly against the inner face of the cover 16. A downwardly extending member 57 is attached, as by threaded 'engaget-men't, to'the portion 45 of the plunger 42 and has formed on its lower enda breaking head or projection '58 which, upon actuation of the plunger is adapted to fracture the acid cartridge for releaseof the contents. The construction of the cover and plunger parts is such that the plunger may be completely assembled upon the cover before the cover is mounted upon the extinguisher and, when assembled, comprises a unitary structure in which there are no loose or detachable parts.

When an acid such as chlorosulfonic acid is used it is desirable to provide a hermetically sealed acid container to prevent fuming and corrosion. The cartridge 40 provides such a structure and comprises a frangible acid container 60 which is preferably made of glass, and

'an enclosing non-frangible container 62 which 'a restrictedneck portion 65 which, at the time of formation 'of. the bottle, may be provided with an outwardlyextending funnelishaped extension to permitfilling. Upon filling the bottleor conwater.

tainer 60 the funnel shaped extension may be sealed off as shown at 66 to provide a hermetically sealed container for the acid carried therein.

As shown, the non-frangible enclosing con tainer 62 comprises a cylindrically extending barrel portion 68 upon which are provided spaced axially extending ribs 69 which extend outwardly an amount suificient to provide for free sliding movement of the assembled cartridge 40 within its carrying structure 31. One end of the container 62 is closed by an end member 70 having a cylindrical flange portion 71 which is adapted to'be received snugly over the barrel portion 68 to which it may be permanently attached as by spot welding. The end face of the member 70 has formed in it a conical depression '72 which terminates in an opening '73 of controlled size or cross-section to provide an outlet whereby the flow of liquid from the con-- tainer 60 may be regulated. Supporting means of some suitable resilient material are provided within the ends of the container 62 to properly position the glasscell 60 therein and to provide a cushion for the cell 60 against jarring and consequent breakage. As shown, a cushioning member '74 in the form of a cork gasket is provided adjacent the end member '70 and is provided with a counter-sunk curved seat 74' to snugly receive the end portion 64 of the acid container 60. The member '74 is provided with an opening 75 of Slll'llClQIlll diameter to permit passage of the breaking plunger 5'! and to provide for the controlled discharge of the acid from the 'cartridge' The opening 75 may be made equal in diameter to the opening 73 as shown to provide a passage of some length which cooperates with the plunger rod 5'? whose diameter is also con trolled so as to leave an annular feeding orifice of predetermined size so as to effect the desired limiting of the rate of discharge. The opposite end of the container 60 is shown supported by a suitable resilient filling compound. This may comprise a mixture of ground cork and wax, such for example as a mixture of about 50% by weight of ground cork and about 56% by weight of commercial wax tailings having a softening point around the boiling point of This material, when heated on a steam bath, becomes a plastic mass of about the consistency of putty. This filling compound, indicated at '78, may be packed into the end of the container 60 and against the glass cell with su'flicient force to cause the material to fill be T tween the end of the cell and the container wall, and to compress the cork gasket at the opposite end an amount sufficient to provide a secure closure between that end of the cell and the metal container. lidifies on cooling somewhat as does putty on drying, but in solid. form still retains its resiliency, Consequently, this filling material or cement, together with the cork gasket, serve to provide an effective cushioned support for the acid containing glass cell within the enclosing metal container to minimize the likelihood of accidental breakage of the acid bottle during handling or shipment. A. cover member for the open end of the container 62 is provided with a cylindrical flange 81 which is adapted to be snugly received upon the end of the barrel portion 68 of the container to which it is attached as by soldering, thus completing the assembly of the cartridge. By firmly pressing The filling material sothis cap in place immediately after filling the end with the hot putty-like filling material and permanently connecting the cap to the barrel portion 68, the filling material is pushed tightly into place about and against the scaled end of the glass bottle and so solidifies. The assembly of a frangible inner container suitably cushioned within a non-frangible enclosing container in Which an opening is provided through which the inner container may be fractured and which, upon fracture, permits a regulated flow of the contents thereof, provides an acid cartridge of simple and sturdy construction which may be inexpensively produced, and may be discarded after use and replaced by a properly prepared fresh cartridge; The construction is also such that upon accidental breakage or fracture of the inner acid bottle of the cartridge within the extinguisher in upright position, the highly reactive acid is caught and retained in the surrounding enclosing casing, thereby preventing the sudden discharge of the acid in bulk into the basic solution within the outer container. The construction also facilitates handling and shipment of the cartridge.

In making up the cartridge, the acid bottle is filled with acid to the desired level and then hermetically sealed at 66 as described. The cap '70 is placed over one end of the hollow cylindrical shell 62 and permanently fastened in place. The cork gasket '74 is then inserted into the shell from the opposite end and is pushed into place against the cap by the insertion of the sealed acid bottle into the opposite open end of the shell until the spherical end 64 rests securely against the gasket '74, which is now at the lowermost part of the shell in inverted position. This opposite end of the shell which is now uppermost is then filled with the plastic filling material '78 which has been heated up to a temperature such that it is plastic and can be worked like putty. The imperforate cap is then inserted over this end, pressed firmly into place against the heated filling material, and then permanently secured I in place, thereby completing the cartridge in which the acid bottle is permanently enclosed.

To operate the extinguisher the container 10 is inverted and'is then bumped down upon the floor or other convenient surface to drive the plunger 42 inwardly. Upon inward movement the breaking projection 58 of the plunger passes through the opening '73 in the acid cartridge and fractures the exposed portion 64 of the liquid container 60. The construction of the breaking plunger 58 is such as to provide an opening in the glass which is larger than the opening '73 so that the opening '73 is then the controlling opening and thus provides an effective metering orifice. After the extinguisher is inverted and the frangible acid container is broken the cartridge 40 slides freely within the structure 31 to a position in which the end '70 of the cartridge is supported upon the projections 50 of the nut The passage of liquid from the container 60 is then controlled in its rate of discharge by the opening provided between the orifice '73 of the container 62 and the stem portion 5'7 of the plunger; these parts being so proportioned to provide a regulated mixture of the chemicals to thereby prevent the violent reaction that might occur if the rate of mixing were not regulated. Further regulation of the rate of mixing the reacting liquids is provided by the spaced ports 38 provided in the cartridge supporting structure 31. Upon inverting the extinguisher the liquid within the'outer container 10 fills the annular channel provided between the members 32 and 3'7 of the cartridge supporting struc-' ture so that a regulation of the admittance of the carbonate solution into the initial reaction zone is also secured. With this construction the pressure of the expelling gas'generated by the reacting liquids rises at a controlled rate'and an eifective gas pressure is maintained throughout a greater portion of the period of discharge;

When it is desired to supply a fresh charge of chemicals to the extinguisher after use, the cover 16 and attached parts are removed by unscrewing the cover. The cartridge supporting structure 31 may then be bodily removed and the used cartridge 40 discarded. The basic charge of the outer container may be replenished and then, upon insertion of a new cartridge into its supporting structure and the reinsertion of this structure within the extinguisher, the cover may be replaced and the extinguisher is again ready for use. I

The fire extinguisher illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, which has a somewhat different arrangement of'parts, comprises an outer casing or tank 90 for the carbonate solution,-and a carrying container 92 for the acid. As shown, the casing 90 is in the form of a metallic drum which is encircled by a reinforcing ring 93 upon which are mounted oppositely extending axles 94 for the attachment of wheels 95. The drum 90 is provided with a base portion, not shown, upon which the extinguisher may rest when it is. not in service. The upper end'of the casing 90 is provided with an end member 96 which forms the tank head and is suitably joined at' 97 to the cylindrical shell of theextinguisheiz. The casing 90, adjacent the end member 96, is. provided with a pair of extending handles 98 by which the machine may be grasped when it is desired to move it from place to place upon the wheels 95. The machine is so balanced upon its axles 94 that when it is tilted from its base onto the wheels the tendency is for the casing to swing to an inverted position in which the handles contact with the floor; this position being the:normal operating position of the-machine'.m"

The end member 96 hasprovided thereon an upstanding flange 100 which defines an opening to the interior of the casing, and is exte-. riorly threaded at 101 to receive a cap memher 103. The cap memberprovides a secure closure for the opening and is provided with j oppositely extending handles 104 by which it may be grasped to screw it firmly in place upon the threaded flange of the member 96.

The cap 103.is provided with a centrally-positioned depending boss 106 and anoppositely extending sleeve portion 107 havingfialigned openings 108 and 109 WhlCh'SBIVB as-"guides for a plunger rod 110 whichis mounted therein for reciprocatory movement. That portion of the plunger rod extending withinthe cap 103 is .;{I

provided with a disk like member .112'which serves as a locating means for a sealing washer 113 positioned on the plunger between the disk 112 and the boss 106. This sealing washer is normally held compressed against the endv of the boss 106 by means of a spring 114 which encircles the cuter portion of the plunger 1-10 and is held between the cap member 103 and a plunger actuating member-.116 which isv shown threadedly attached at117 to the outside end ofend of the acid container 135.. .;5 5

the. plunger. The. sealing. washer 113 by being held tightly against the end of they boss by the force of compression of" the; spring, prevents leakage through the plunger guideway during operation of the; extinguisher.. I

Within the iiange portion 109 of. the member '96'isrfixed a ring 12 0, which provides a .supporting; means for the acid carrying container 92, the; latter comprising. generally a body portion 121 and a cover portion 122. The separable portions of. the carrying. container are joined by provision'of oppositely" extending forked ends 123 on the cover. portionwhich are' positioned to receive clamping. bolts 124pivotally attached at 125 to the bodyhportion. 121, and provided with, wing nuts 127 which may be screwed down onthe" bolts 124 against the forked ends 123 to draw thetwo parts of the carrier container into clamping engagement; a suitable gasket 129 being provided therebetween. The carrying container 92 issuspended within the casing by the provision of oppositely positioned arms 130 which extend from the cover portion 122 to a ring 131' of such size that it may be clamped between the ring portion 120 within the neck of-the .member 96, and: a gasket 132 which is positioned within the cover 103. When the cover-is screwed down tight the gasket 13-2 provides. an: effective seal for the extinguisher, and also serves to. hold thering' 131 of the carrying container tightly inplace so that the container is maintained'in proper position with respect to the plunger. 110: q .1: The carrying. container is adapted to receive within it an acid cartridge which is generally similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2 and. is made up inxa like manner. As shown, this acid cartridgecomprises afrangible acid container 135: which is: preferably formed of a glass shell having a. cylindrical side wall 136,. a spherical end. portion. 137.- andi asealed end 1-38. The acid container- 135..ispositioned within a nonfrangible-enclosing container 140'which is preferably made of; sheet metal and,. as shown, comprises: a. cylindrical tube portion 141' having an attached. and 142 in which is provided an orifice 143. The end member 142. is preferably a 'sheet metal disk having a down-turned flange 144 which, upon assembly to the tube 141, is sealed thereon; as by the use of solder; A cushioning member, such as the cork gasket shown at. 145, is; provided in the endof the non-frangible container for theresilient support of the spherical The gasket 145 is provided with an opening 147. which stands aligned with the opening 143 of the enclosing container; Upon inserting the acid container within the tube and againstzthe cushion 145 the opposite and open end of the tube is packed with a suitable plastic cement such as that mentioned. inthe'description of Fig.2, and an end member 148 is'then assembledon the open end of the tube 141 and is permanently fastened thereon by soldering. the'flange; portion 149 to the wall of the tube; 1 T

Asealing member 150 is-attached by a suitable glue'or cement, such'as shellac; to the outside face of the end member 142. of the cartridge and serves not only as a means for resiliently holding the cartridge in place within the carrying container, but also provides a seal between the end of the cartridge and the, cover portion of the carrying. container; The sealing member 150-is preferably made of sponge rubber of; such: thickness thatthe total height of the cartridge and attachedpsealing member exceeds the depth of the cartridge receivingspace of the carrying container by an amount sufiicient to cause the sealing member to: becompressed when the carrying container is assembled with the cartridge in place. The sealing member 150 isprovided with an opening. 151 which isaligned with the cartridge and gasket openings, and with an opening 152 provided in the cover portion 122 for passage'of the plunger 110.

When the extinguisher is assembled for use,

the plunger 110 normally stands within the opening 152 and when the plunger actuating member 115 is struck a blowof suffiicent intensity-to compress the spring 114 the plunger is caused to move. axially down. through the aligned openings for fracture of the acid container 135. Upon breaking the container, the spring 114 forces the plunger back to the position shown in Fig. 4 and the acid charge of the fractured container then passes through the aligned openings into the casing 90 to react with the chemical contained therein and generate the expelling gas for the operation of the extinguisher. The passage area around the plunger 110 within the opening 151 is such. as to provide a regulated limiting of the rate of mixing of the chemicals for controlled generation of the expelling gas so that upon actuation of the extinguisher the pressure will rise at a proper rate and will be maintained for proper operation of I the extinguisher. I The constructions disclosed in both Figs. 2 and 4 are designed to restrain undesired accumulation of basic solution within. the carrying container for the cartridge, orbetween the metal enclosing casing of the cartridge and the inner acid bottle, such as would otherwise take place due to sloshing and splashing of the basic solution during handling or carrying of the extinguisher and before use thereof. 'It is found that such accumulation. may deleteriously affect the operating characteristics of the extinguisher, and the present invention. is designed to overcome this objection even though 'the extinguisher may be carelessly handled or partially inverted before it is desiredto use the same. Thus in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the inner acid bottle is firmly fclamped against the resilient corkgasket 74 adjacenttheorifice '75, to thereby restrain the-passage of basic solution to the interior of the tube 62 even though some solution should. collect in. the aligned passages 73 and 75 7 Moreover, the constructionincluding the enclosing carrying. tube 2 coupled with the depending skirt 37. is effective to restrain the passage of basic solution into the tube 32 due to splashing thereof. In the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the ingress of basic solution into the interior of the cartridge casing. 141 isrestrained by the pressure .of the acid container 135 against the sealing gasket 145 which in turn is pressed tightly against the cap 142; andin addition the carrying container 121 for the cartridge is completely closed ex.- cept. for the orifice 152,. and ingress of any liquid accumulating in the orifice 152 into the interior of the carryingv container is restrained by-the sealing compression of the washer 150 between the cover 122 and the cap 142.

While the methods-herein. described, and the forms of apparatus. for carrying these methods into effect, constitute, preferred. embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise methods TAU and forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made in either without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An inner charge assembly for a fire extinguisher, comprising a sealed frangible inner container having rounded ends, a non-frangible supporting container, a cover fastened to said non-frangible container and having a discharge orifice, said cover and said non-frangible container completely enveloping said frangible inner container so that all the parts of the inner container lie within said cover and said non-frangible container, a resilient packing positioned between one end of said frangible inner container and said cover, said packing having a discharge opening therethrough in alignment with said discharge orifice in the cover, and having a curved inner portion generally conforming to and receiving one rounded end of said inner container, a resilient packing positioned between the other end of said frangible inner container and said non-frangible container and having a curved inner portion generally conforming to and receiving the other rounded end of said inner container, said packings being urged toward each other to press said inner container therebetween providing a cushioned support centering and holding the inner container substantially out of contact with the wall of said non-frangible container, said inner container being arranged to discharge through said aligned discharge opening and discharge orifice in the packing and cover respectively so that a predetermined and controlled rate of discharge from said assembly is assured.

2. In a re extinguisher of the chemical reaction type having an outer casing adapted to receive a fire extinguishing liquid, an inner charge assembly comprising a frangible irmer container, a non-frangible container receiving and enclosing said inner container and having a discharge orifice, said inner container and nonfrangible container forming a cartridge, a carrying container supporting and enveloping said cartridge within the extinguisher so that all parts of the inner frangible container lie within 7 said carrying container, and having a metering orifice aligned with said discharge orifice, a compressible sealing member attached to the exterior of said cartridge, said sealing member having an opening positioned in alignment with said orifices, and means on said carrying container to hold said cartridge therein with said sealing member compressed against said carrying container and with said orifices in communication, said cartridge being arranged to discharge through said metering orifice of the carrying container to effect a predetermined controlled limiting of the rate of discharge therer ;ment with said discharge orifice in said cartridge, compressible sealing means positioned between said cover and said cartridge and having an opening therethrough in alignment with said orifices, and means for rigidly fastening said cover to said carrying container to compress said sealing means between the said cover and the cartridge therein to seal against the ingress of said fire extinguishing liquid within said carrying container immediately about said-cartridge due to splashing of the liquid and tilting of said extinguisher, said cartridge being arranged to discharge through said metering orifice of the said cover to effect a predetermined and controlling rate of discharge from said assembly. I

ROSCOE C. IDDINGS.

JOSEPH E. BOWMAN.

JOHN W. WRIGHT.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,972, 738. September 4, 1934.

ROSCOE C. IDDINGS, ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 20, for

"extinguished" read extinguisher; page 2, line 48, after "plunger" inserta comma; and page 5, line il7, claim 3, for "controlling" read controlled; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 25th day of September, A. D. '1934.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

